Stephen Miller, center, a long haul COVID survivor, sits down to dinner with his mother Kathy Miller, left, wife Ashley Miller and the rest of his family at a fundraiser in his honor. Miller was released from the hospital for the day to attend. He's been in the hospital since October. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle 05/21/22

Stephen Miller, a long haul COVID survivor, sits down to dinner at a fundraiser in his honor. Miller was released from the hospital for the day to attend. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle 05/21/22

PROSPECT — Family and friends excitedly rallied around COVID-19 patient Stephen Miller at a fundraiser in his honor at Prospect Fire Hall on Saturday afternoon.

A spaghetti dinner was held to aid his wife and children with living expenses as Stephen has yet to make a full recovery from COVID-19.

Ashley Miller laughs at a fundraiser dinner for her husband, Stephen Miller, left. Stephen Miller is a long haul COVID survivor still undergoing treatment at a hospital. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle 05/21/22

Stephen, 39, has been recovering at Cranberry Place since March, after contracting COVID-19 and entering a Pittsburgh emergency room in October. He has not been home since and will require a lung transplant in the near future.

Stephen Miller, left, a long haul COVID survivor, sits down to dinner with his son Chase, 10, wife Ashley and the rest of his family at a fundraiser in his honor. Miller was released from the hospital for the day to attend. He's been in the hospital since October. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle 05/21/22

Stephen said it feels wonderful to be among his parents, his sons and daughter, and friends outside the care facility.

Stephen Miller, a long haul COVID survivor, sits down to dinner with his daughter Sydney Miller, 11, and the rest of his family at a fundraiser in his honor. Miller was released from the hospital for the day to attend. He's been in the hospital since October. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle 05/21/22

“I can’t describe it,” he said. “It’s just little old me and so many people came to support us.”

Ashley Miller, Stephen’s wife, said more than 60 raffle baskets were donated to the cause.

“It’s amazing. I wasn’t sure how much of a response we would get,” she said. “So many people reached out to donate.”

Logan Miller, 13, serves cakes at a fundraiser dinner for his father Stephen Miller, a long haul COVID survivor. His father, Stephen Miller has been in the hospital since October. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle 05/21/22

“It’s overwhelming,” said Kathy Miller, Stephen’s mother. “We’ve definitely overcome a huge obstacle.”

People arrived in droves and waited in line for food, drinks and desserts doled out by Stephen’s 13-year-old son, Logan, who said he wanted to do his part to get his father out of the hospital.

“It feels awesome,” Logan said when viewing the turnout. “We can raise money for a good cause. There’s some actually good-hearted people here.”

“He wanted to help make the spaghetti today,” Ashley said of Logan. “He just wanted to help.”

Angel Stevens said she came to help set up the event for her friend Anita Stevens, owner of the caterer Kountry Katering.

“I came to support,” she said. “I hope he can take care of his family, we know the struggles.”

Cathy Dreher said the Millers are family friends, and they need more than money during this time.

“He needs our help and our prayers,” she said. “It’s heartwarming to see so many people.”

While Stephen said he’s on the mend, his journey is far from over. Because he is constantly connected to oxygen, he has been placed on the waiting list for a lung transplant.

“I’m high priority on the list,” he said. “It hits you that organ donors have to die for someone else to live.”

“And how many are waiting for their chance to live again?” said Ashley.

Stephen, Ashley and Kathy said they feel the ordeal made their family stronger.

“She’s amazing,” Stephen said of his wife. “She has all the load on her shoulders.”

Stephen said looking back on his journey from the ICU to a six-week medically induced coma to now has given him a new perspective.

“I took a six-week nap and I had no idea,” he said “This has given me so much time to think and reflect on life and what’s important, it’s humbled me greatly.”

Kathy and Stephen agreed it has given the family new hope.

“It’s renewed our faith in God,” she said. “I hope this raises awareness that COVID does affect people.”

“I have a new outlook on life in general. I’m feeling great, I’m getting stronger every day. My story is not over yet,” he said.